What are the best practices for Agile estimation and planning with different team sizes?

In Agile estimation and planning with different team sizes, best practices include involving the entire team in estimation, using relative sizing techniques like story points, adjusting velocity based on team capacity, and conducting regular refinements to improve estimation accuracy. Adaptability and collaboration are key for successful planning across diverse team sizes.

For smaller teams, foster collaboration, embracing team input. Larger teams benefit from structured ceremonies and clear communication channels. Prioritize backlog grooming and regularly reassess velocity. Flexibility is key—continuously refine and iterate for optimal planning.

1. Use Relative Sizing: Implement relative sizing techniques like story points or t-shirt sizes instead of absolute measures like hours. This helps in accommodating different team sizes and avoids the misconception that a larger team can do more work in the same amount of time. 2. Establish a Baseline: Begin with a baseline story or task that everyone understands well. This helps in creating a common understanding of what a "1-point" or a "small" task means. 3. Communication and Transparency: Foster open communication within and between teams. Transparency about uncertainties and challenges can lead to more accurate estimations and better planning. Be open to refining your processes based on the team's experiences and feedback.

Some ways to get started in Agile estimation and planning for small-sized teams are: Firstly, using techniques like story points as well as team availability and engagement with similar projects can further help determine better estimation. ...and lastly, the team would be better-off being in the same location if they are in a physical office. Communication and accountability will be highly appreciated due to the visibility of the team.

Technique: T-shirt sizing Note: This is the easiest and widely used technique adopted by every Agile teams For: New teams, Large backlogs Measuring scale: XS,S,M,L,XL,XXL How : a. the Product Owner reads out a story and asks team members to estimate how much effort it will take b. You express this with a scale of t-shirt sizes c. For unbiased T-Shirt Sizing, teams can use a blind estimation process d. You privately pick your estimate to prevent influencing others. Once everyone has made their choice, reveal your estimates simultaneously e. This approach fosters diversity of thought and helps prevent the risk of groupthink or conformity.

Technique: Dot voting For: Established teams, Large backlogs *Dot voting is great for experienced teams that have worked together for a while. *An enjoyable & easy way to estimate userstories, especially when you've a physical or virtual board. Measure: Dot boards with User stories How: *Set up your user stories visually and assign each team member a color. * As a group, decide on a scale – say one to five – representing the effort required to complete each item. *Ask everyone to add dots to the stories according to the chosen scale. Note: *The process is simple: more dots on a story indicate higher effort, while fewer dots suggest less effort. *This method lets you easily spot patterns on a whiteboard and quickly work through many items.

- Common Estimation Scale: Utilize story points or T-shirt sizes for a unified approach to assessing task complexity and effort. - Structured Planning Process: Adopt frameworks like Scrum or ScrumBan to clarify the scope and goals for each iteration. - Collaborative Involvement: Actively involve all team members in planning and estimation to promote a shared vision and enhance team cohesion. These approaches aim to overcome coordination challenges and maintain team unity, ensuring that diverse skills are effectively harnessed.

Technique: Planning poker For: Established teams, Prioritized backlogs, Large-stage estimation Encourages:Sprint Poker is perfect for teams with specific stories they want to discuss in detail. Measuring scale: 1,2,3,5,8,13,20,40 How: a.Poker card will be given which has value (1,2,3,5,8,13,20,40) b.PO reads user story& team members to show their card c.if all the cards are same (for e.g., 8),then fix it against the storypoint d.If the numbers are different, all the developers has to discuss further& come to consensus e. Post discussion,again they must show the cards, until the numbers come in common. f. Fix the no. till all the cards are same

- Hierarchical Estimation: Break tasks into smaller, manageable parts for precise estimation. - Scalable Framework: Use frameworks like SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) to ensure alignment and coordination among sub-teams. - Stakeholder Involvement: Engage leaders and stakeholders in planning to ensure the team's work aligns with strategic goals and creates impact. These strategies help manage the complexity of large teams, maintaining agility and efficiency while minimizing risks of misalignment and inefficiency.

Small Teams (3-5 members) - In my early days, I led a small team on a software development project. We used Planning Poker, a consensus-based technique, to estimate effort. It was highly effective due to the team's size, allowing quick, collaborative decision-making. Medium Teams (6-10 members) - Later, with a larger team, we shifted to T-shirt sizing for initial estimates. This approach simplified discussions and helped us quickly categorise tasks without getting bogged down in details. Large Teams (10+ members) - For a major project with multiple teams, we broke down the project into smaller components. Each team estimated their part using their preferred method, then we aggregated these estimates.